coxy123 Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 hi I have a 1978 1500 spitfire. I have been trying to bleed the clutch. It has had about 1 litre of dot4 fluid through it and im still getting bubbles in the bleed tube. it wont go into gear unless i pump the clutch peddle. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 Hello. If you are still getting bubbles at this stage then without doubt it is drawing air in from some point. What is the condition of your clutch master cylinder and the same question applies to the slave cylinder ?? Are these new cylinders OR old cylinders OR refurbed cylinders either by you or third party ?? What event led you to require clutch bleeding ?? I know it seems a lot of questions but some background information will help us to help you. If the cylinders are old (master & slave) then it is very likely that the seals have gone. You can buy overhaul kits for both. However I'd buy new slave cylinder regardless and on stripping the master determine if an overhaul kit will suffice or a new purchase as well. Double check that all your connections are tight from the master down to the slave; if they are then I suspect one (poss both) of the units are at fault. I hope that assists ?? Good luck. Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coxy123 Posted May 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 I havent changed either the master or the slave but they look in good order. I have used the car more than usual resently and I noticed the clutch biting point seemed very low. I checked the master cylinder and the fluid was low. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 The clutch master is easy to do, the slave more difficult. You can undo the slave cylinder bolts from engine bay but you can't get them fully out. It's tunnel off I'm afraid! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coxy123 Posted May 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2016 the tunnel is off anyway, so I could bleed the clutch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted May 11, 2016 Report Share Posted May 11, 2016 On the salve cylinder, the bleed nipple is above the pipe connector? Any signs of fluid loss? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted May 11, 2016 Report Share Posted May 11, 2016 Hope the bleed nipple is at the top and feed is in the lower port. hold the bleed bottle high above the cylinder not down on the floor then air goes up and you stop air entering via the bleed nipple threads Undo the slave clamp and remove the clyinder push the piston right down towards the nipple end this reduces the volume in the slave to a minimum and helps for any air trapped inside to be bled out once refitted you have to pump to re extend the slave You can actually change the slave from under a spitfire without rmoving the tunnel Makemsure the pedal is not seized and does return to its up stop, there must be some free rattle play on the pedal pushrod with foot off, if its not returning you will never succeed just some ideas on bleeding hic ups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coxy123 Posted May 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2016 I've got both the master cylinder and slave cylinder off. The rubber seals were shot in both. Repair kit is on order from rimmers. Thanks for your help . Hopefully it'll be straight forward now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coxy123 Posted May 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 The repair kits didnt work. So new master and slave cylinders are on order as Richard said in the beginning Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 17, 2016 Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 You will have a lot more confidence in your clutch hydraulics with new units - it's just not worth buying kits these days. If you do use a kit, every time you drive you will be thinking is this the day they will go again !! The main problem is bore wear and no kit will eradicate that. More expensive I agree, but peace of mind is priceless. Well done. Regards. Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted May 17, 2016 Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 Not sure I agree with that! What's to wear in an a metal tube with a rubber plunger? I've replaced my rubbers and the results are fine.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daverclasper Posted May 18, 2016 Report Share Posted May 18, 2016 Not sure I agree with that! What's to wear in an a metal tube with a rubber plunger? I've replaced my rubbers and the results are fine.. Same here. Did brake/clutch master and clutch slave 3 years ago. It was common practice back in the day when we used to repair rather than throw away. As long as the bores are smooth I can't see the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68vitesse Posted May 18, 2016 Report Share Posted May 18, 2016 A dab of grease around the bleed nipple when bleeding will stop air being drawn up the threads. Regards Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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